PHP: Convert CSV String to a Pretty Assoc Array

Sometimes you find yourself with a CSV string (not a file on the filesystem), and you'd like to use str_getcsv to get an array, but the results are sloppy and not at all friendly to work with. Reading from a file on the filesystem is more memory-friendly, but sometimes that just isn't the situation you have.

If you think this applies to you, check out the following function.

It creates an assoc array from a CSV string, where the header value is used as the array's keys.

Code:

function csv_multiline_to_array($csv_str, $bool_first_row_is_headers = TRUE) {
  $csv = array_map('str_getcsv', explode("\n", trim($csv_str)));
  array_walk($csv, function(&$a) use ($csv) {
    if (count($a) == count($csv[0])) {
      $a = array_combine($csv[0], $a);
    }
    else {
      // Error converting CSV to an array. Not the same number of elements.
      // Perform whatever action desired. Eg, return FALSE;
    }
  });
  if ($bool_first_row_is_headers) {
    array_shift($csv); // remove column header
  }
  return $csv;
}

So, the following:

Name,Location,Type
Armstrong Middle School,Acadia Parish,Elementary
Branch Elementary School,Acadia Parish,Middle School

Results in this array:

[0]['Name'] = 'Armstrong Middle School'
   ['Location'] = 'Acadia Parish'
   ['Type'] = 'Elementary'
[1]['Name'] = 'Branch Elementary'
   ['Location'] = 'Acadia Parish'
   ['Type'] = 'Middle School'

Hopefully someone finds this useful!